Set in the backdrop of the 2008 Presidential election, an illegal Mob controlled card game is robbed by the man in charge, Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta). After the games start again, a couple of small timers decide to rob the game again, knowing Trattman will be blamed. Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) is hired to find the guilty party...and kill them.
Cast
Brad Pitt as Jackie Cogan
Scoot McNairy as Frankie
Ben Mendelsohn as Russell
Richard Jenkins as Driver
James Gandolfini as Mickey
Ray Liotta as Markie Trattman
Sam Shepard as Dillon
Slaine as Kenny Gill
Who will like this movie
It's a bit slow moving so it's all set for a "relaxing" viewing. Sopranos fans will like to see James Gandolfini in a Mobster related role that is similar to his Tony Soprano character, without the family values. It could appeal to fans of the movies "Snatch" or "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". And although it may not be on the level of a "Casino" or "Goodfellas", the movie-goers who have all those mobster movies in their DVD or Blue Ray collection could find this to be right up their back alley.
Phantom Thoughts
I am a fan of Brad Pitt movies. He makes some great choices of the roles he chooses to play, and this one is no exception. He brings the character of Jackie Cogan to life in a brilliant and subtle manor. It would have been really easy for an actor to go over-the-top in this performance where so much hinged on how a hit man for the mob views his job and life, but Pitt pulls it back enough to not only be believable but likable. Another fantastic job goes to James Gandolfini as the old Mob hit man who Pitt brings in to do a job with him. The character of Mickey is a boozing, washed up, hooker buying gangster who just doesn't have it anymore. Another role that would have been very easy to over do, but Gandolfini is superb in his adaptation, making the audience laugh along with him, and then giving a sad after taste.
SPOILER: The scene where Ray Liotta's character Markie Trattman bites it, was visually brilliant. The slow-motion action of each shot fired and the effects of them from different angles and points of view was flawless...right down to the rain drops hitting the bullet casings as they were ejected from the gun. As well as the close up of the windshield breaking as Markie's head flew into it. (Even if...in the next shot, the you see the windshield in tact. Oops!)
Unfortunately, the accolades stop there. i was disappointed with how most of the scenes ran on about 2 minutes too long with no good flow or rhythm. There was a good story to work with, thanks to the 1974 George V Higgins' great crime novel "Cogan's Trade" that it is based on, but it just came up short. I felt bored watching it at points where I knew I shouldn't be. It's too bad too...It really could've been so much better given the plot and the great talent that was here to work with. The finished product just came out to be...OK.
Until next time, see you in the center seat!
